Sagara Leads VC Women at WSC Championships

VC sophomore Jessica Powell teamed up with doubles partner Mariko Sagara to advance to the final eight of the WSC championships, while advancing to the back draw in singles with a chance to advance to The Ojai Tournament during the Western State Conference Tennis Championships in Ventura Friday.
VC sophomore Jessica Powell teamed up with doubles partner Mariko Sagara to advance to the final eight of the WSC championships, while advancing to the back draw in singles with a chance to advance to The Ojai Tournament during the Western State Conference Tennis Championships in Ventura Friday.

Pirate freshman Mariko Sagara lost but one game in two matches in singles play, and teamed up with Jessica Powell in doubles to shutout their opponent marching into the final eight in both on day one of the Western State Conference Tennis Championships in Ventura Friday.  The advancement qualifies Sagara for the CCCAA state championships in singles to be held at The Ojai Tournament at the end of the month, while Sagara and Powell qualified for The Ojai in doubles.

After receiving a first round bye, Sagara, the top seed in the singles draw, won her first match of the day one and love before disposing of her opponent in the round of 16 love and love.  Sagara and Powell are the top seed in the doubles bracket, and they won their round of 16 match 8-0.

Meanwhile, the doubles team of Theresa Doal and Tricia McClain won their first round match 8-2 before falling in the round of 16.  The Pirate duo of Megan Fleming and Jia Wiebe received an opening round bye before falling in the round of 16.

Doal and McClain and Fleming and Wiebe will have back draw matches on Saturday morning to attempt to qualify for the state Championships.

In singles play, Powell won in the round of 32, 6-3, 6-4 before losing in the round of 16.  She will also play Saturday morning in the back draw with a trip to The Ojai at stake.

Doal and Fleming both advanced through the round of 64 with solid victories before falling in the second round.  Wiebe had a bye to the round of 32 before being upset while McClain and Audrey Karbum saw their seasons come to a close in the opening round of play.

The tournament will continue Saturday April 2 at Camino Real Park in Ventura, with the championship matches in singles and doubles being played at the VC Tennis Center on Friday April 8.

See Updated 2016 WSC Tennis Championships Women's Singles Bracket

See Updated 2016 WSC Tennis Championships Women's Doubles Bracket